Internal-combustion engine



sew. 30,1947. G. E. BUSKE 2,428,199

INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed March 27, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Sept. 30, 7

INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE Gilbert E. Buske, Anson Township, Chippewa County, Wis, assignor to National Pressure Cooker Company, Eau Claire, Win, a corpora- 1 tion of Wiscomin Application March 27, 1946, Serial No. 657,518

Claims.

My invention relates to internal combustion engines of the two cycle type. I

Engines of this type employing mechanically operated intake valves are known. Two cycle engines are generally adopted in order to provide a compact high speed power plant. ,Such engines are employedin outboard motors, for operating electric generators, and for numerous other purposes. I v

In order to develop power of an engine of this character at high speed, the valves must be actuated so as to give the desired full opening and closing in exceedingly brief periods of time. The

engine of my invention, which I shall hereafter describe in detail, is designated to operate at speeds as high as 5000 RaP. M. for continuous operation. I have conceived the necessity for reducing inertia of the parts which must reciprocate at these speeds to an absolute minimum, In gener'al, I provide a. valvemechanism operated at crank shaft speed, and ,I find that by disposing the axis of the valve substantially radially to the crank shaft, I can reduce the reciprocating parts to a minimum. In fact, the valve stem or valve button may be engaged directly with a cam on the crank shaft, or connected to the crank shaft, and operating at crank shaftspeed. I may interpose a member to dissociate the rubbing tendency of the cam to thrust the valve laterally of its axis, and I conceive of such a member as merely a yielding wall of minimum inertia. Such. a member may be shaped to maintain the bearing of the reciprocating valve member in a direction normal to the'axis of the valve member. This same member may likewise have a bearing surface for engagement with-a cam to maintain thev direction of engagement between thesje=palrts substantially constantif so desired;

As above "indicated, Ir' p'refer a team.- the weight of thevalve itself to Janiabs'olute minimum and to reduce to aiminimum'a'ny part interposed between the valvean'dthecam'; and in-fact, I may omit any interposedmembenbut where an inter- 1- posed memberis employed, I prefer to utilize such a member in which the direction or the force transmitted by the thrust of the cam is the same as thedirection of movement-{of the 'valve with out reversal; I have found that bell cranks and the like imposetoo much inertia; and have a tendency to retard the operation of thevalve and produce a hammering and wear of the parts. In the swinging arm of my construction, the rubbing ofthe cam-surface and the "rubbing, of the valve stem are substantially in parallel planes which reducing to a minimum the ing member. The resultis superior operation to a marked degree. In a bellcrank, the'entire force of operation is brought upon a, pivot. That is not the case in the form of construction in which I use a swinging arm-between the cam and the valvestem. L

-An important feature of my invention resides in parts in rubbing contact,-thereby eliminating ob-; jectionable wear or'parts, which is,conducive .to accuracy of operation and increased life of the engine. To

intake valve, whereby an exceptionally light valve spring maybe used, or, indeed, the valve spring may be omitted, the valve being held seated during the instroke oithe piston by case. Further, by havingthe valve open inward- 1y, this valvewill open promptly near the start of the outstroke orsuction stroke of the piston, and will remain fully 0pen, throughout such strokethe valve operating cam being appropriately timed to thatend-assuringthat the maximum possible :charge offuel will be drawn into the crank case with resultant maximum power output of the engine.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the detaildescriptlon.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional viewz oi -a twocylinder partly broken=away and shown in section, the

piston being shown: at the en of ts combustion Stroke; 11 =1, :5: 1' q n Y- j I Figure 3 is a view similar to,;F-i'gur e. 2, but with the'pi'ston fnovingxoutward ofthecylinder on its compression stroke" and; in; position closing the I transfer passage from *the' corresponding compartment of the crank case; wt I Figure 41 isa view similar to Figure 3, but with.

the ,piston' moved inward a sh'ort distance 1 on its 1 combustion'stroke;

-Figurer5 is a -planview gof. oneiof thevalve seat plates: and associated-parts; 1 Figureu6 i'si'a sectionalfiview-on an'enlarged scale,.taken-substantially on :line .6-8 of Figure 5tcertain parts being shown inelevation'; and

Figure '7 is a transverse sectional view of the outer section of the crank case and associatpressure between that end, I provide an-inwardly opening and outwardly closing the pressure then obtaining in the crank ed parts of a single cylinder engine embodying I my invention, certain parts being shown in elevation.

My invention, in its broader aspects, is applicable to two cycle engines of various types and constructions. I have illustrated my invention, by way of example, as applied to a two cycle engine of known type and, in general, of known construction. The engine is shown in simplified form and many of the usual accessories thereof are omitted, for cleamess of illustration. While the engine is shown as having two cylinders, it may have but one cylinder or any other desired number of cylinders, as will be understood.

I have illustrated my invention as embodied in a. two cycle horizontal engine, that is, an englue in which the cylinders are disposed horizontally, which as noted is in general of known construction and a brief description of which will suffice. The engine comprises a cylinder block l5 defining two cylinders I6 (Figure 1) this block being bolted to a crank case H at one side thereof. If desired, cylinder block I5 may be cast integrally with one section of the crank case, as is known and frequently done, which will be readily understood by those familiar with engines of this general type. Crank case [1 is of generally cylindrical shape and conveniently is formed in two sections bolted together, the plane of separation of these sections corresponding to the plane of the axis of the crank shaft, as will appear presently. Sections l8 and IQ of crank case H are respectively provided with central transversely extending web elements |3a and |9a which together provide a central bearing member separating the interior of crank case l1 into two separate compartments 24. A crank shaft 2| is rotatably mounted in crank case 11 lengthwise thereof, in appropriate bearing bushings mounted in bearing element 20 and in the end walls of the crank case. A piston 22 operates in each of the cylinders I6 and has operating connection, by means of a connecting rod 23, to crank shaft 2|.

The cylinders l6 respectively open, at their inner ends, into compartments 24 of crank case I1.

Each of the pistons 22 is provided, at its outer or head end, with an appropriately formed extension 25 for deflecting the entering fuel-air mixture charge toward the outer end of the cylinder and causing displacement from the latter of the burned gases to and through the outlet or exhaust manifold. Each compartment 24 of crank 'case I! is provided with a transfer passage 26 extending therefrom and through cylinder block I 5, this passage opening into cylinder It at a pointadjacent' the head of piston 22, when the latter is in its innermost position, as shown in Figure 2. A spark plug 21 is mounted in the outer end or head of cylinder I6 for igniting the fuel mixture charge as the piston approaches the end of its outstroke, as is well known in the art. The entering fuel-air charge displaces the burned gases from cylinder l6, these gases flowing through an exhaust port 28 at the opposite side of the cylinder from transfer passage 26, and thence to and through anexhaust manifold 29. Crank case I1 is provided, at its other sidethat is, its side opposite to the cylinder block |5with an extension or pad 30 having a flat outer face substantially normally to the cylinder axis. The crank case I1 is also provided with two passages 3| inclined outwardly and oppositely with respect to the cylinder axis and disposed at opposite sides of bearing element 20,

respectively opening into compartments 24 of crank case H. The passages 3| are in part formed in the web element I94: and open at their outer ends into cylindrical recesses 3|a formed in pad 30 substantially concentric with the respective passages 3|. Each passage 3| has therein a guide member 32 which slidably receives stem 33 of a poppet valve 34 controlling Port 35 of a valve seat disc 36 mounted on the flat bottom of recess 3|a. There are two valve seat discs 36, one for each valve, and port 35 of the respective discs overlies and opens directly into one of the passages 3|, the area of plate 36 contiguous to port 35 being appropriately formed to provide a. seat for valve 34, as will be understood.

An intake manifold and spring housing member 31 is secured to pad 30, seating on the fiat outer face thereof, conveniently by means of cap screws 310:, with an intervening gasket 38. Member 31 is provided with two outwardly extending pockets 39 0f generally cylindrical shape overlying and opening directly into'the recesses 3|a. Each pocket 39 and its corresponding recess 3|a receives a compression spring 4| confined between the outer end of pocket 39 and valve 34, the latter having a central projection about which the inner end of spring 4| seats. Member 31 is further provided with a neck 42 defining an inlet passage 43 to which neck 42 may be bolted a stack 45 of a carburetor (not shown) of known type. Each of the pockets 33 opens I freely into passage 43, at, to recelvethe fuelair mixture therefrom.

The stem 33 of each valve 34 is tubular and slidably receives, in its inner end, a plunger 41 urged inward by a compression spring 48 confined between plunger 41 and the wall at the outer end of the bore of valve stem 33. Compres'sion spring 43 is of considerably greater strength than compression spring 4| and provides a yielding connection between plunger 41 and valve 34, for a purpose which will appear presently. The rounded inner end of plunger 41 contacts a cam follower 43 of appropriate formation pivoted at one end, as by means of a screw 50, in a recess 5| formed in the adjacent end of the central bearing element 20. Follower 49 rests upon a suitably shaped cam 52 carried by a crank shaft 2| adjacent the end of central bearing element 20.

In Figure 2 the piston 22 is shown in its innermost position, uncovering the end of transfer passage 26 and the exhaust port 23. As piston 22 approaches that position, the fuel-air mixture,

previously compressed in the corresponding compartment 24, enters cylinder l3 through passage 23, scavenging and charging the cylinder. Piston 22 then moves outward on its compression stroke and, when it has traveled a short distance in that direction, first closes the outer end of transfer passage 26 and'then the exhaust port 28, as will be clear from Figure 3. As piston 22 closes the outer end of transfer passage 23, the high portion of cam 52 passes beyond follower 49, which then contacts the low portion of the cam. That permits opening-of valve 34, by atmospheric pressure, or by spring 4|, or by both. In that connection, the outward travel of piston 22, after closing the outer end of passage 26, creates a partial vacuum in compartment 24, The atmospheric pressure on the outer face of valve 34 then moves the latter to open position and in the continued outward travel of piston 22 the charge of fuel-air mixture is drawn into compartment 24,

valve 34 being held in full open position by atmospheric pressure. It will be clear that atmospheric pressure alone may be relied upon for opening valve 34 and that spring 4| may be omitted, if desired, though ordinarily I prefer to use the spring 41 as giving added assurance of prompt openingof valve 34.

In the continued outward travel of piston 22, the fuel-air mixture-charge in cylinder 16 is compressed. When the piston 22 is at or about its outermost position, the charge is ignited, by the spark plug 21, and the piston 22 moves inward on it combustion or working stroke. Valve 34 remains open for a brief period after the start of the working stroke, and the fuel-air mixture continues to flow into compartment 24, due to inertia of such mixture. When the piston 22 has traveled a short distance on its combustion stroke, to about its position shown in Figure 4, and before it becomes effective for creating pressure in compartment 24, the high portion of cam 52 contacts follower 49 thereby closing valve 34. In

the continued travel of piston 22 on its combustion stroke, the fuel-air mixture'in compartment 24 is placed under increasing pressure, substantially higher than atmospheric, efiective for holding valve 34 tightly closed in sealing contact with its seat. I thus assure that the maximum possible fuel-air charge is drawn into compartment 24 and is retained therein during the combustion period,'which is conducive to increased power output and efliciency of the engine. The piston 22 in its continued travel on its combustion stroke uncovers the outer end of transfer passage 26 and the exhaust port 28. The compressed fuel-air mixture charge then enters cylinder I6 under considerable velocity and is deflected toward the outer end of the cylinder by extension 25 of piston- 22, scavenging and charging the cylinder, thus completing the cycle. It will be understood, of course, that the operation of the engine is the same with respect to each cylinder, and that the cams 52 for the respective cylinders are oppositely related. In the case of engines of more than two cylinders, the cams are properly timed to assure operation of the valves in the manner above described in proper sequence.

It will be seen, from what has been said, that the valve 34, in the operation of the engine, is subjected to different pressures at its innerand outer faces, and the predominating pressure ,is always in the direction in which it is desired to urge the valve, Upon creation of a partial vacuum in compartment 24, valve 34 is promptly opened by the then predominating atmospheric pressure, and'when the fuel-air mixture within compartment 24 is compressed valve 34 is then held tightly closed by the pressure in compartment 24 then predominating over atmospheric pressure. Accordingly, it is not necessary to use springs or equivalent means for opening on closing valve 34, and the pressure between parts having rubbing or sliding contact is reduced to a minimum, thus avoiding objectionable wear which may occur when such parts are under considerable pressure contact. That is desirable, especially in high speed engines, with which my invention is particularly concerned, as being conducive to increased accuracy with resultant increased over all efficiency of the engine. While the spring 4| may be omitted, as noted above, I preferably use it since I find that with this spring the valve follows the cam follower more closely than without thespring and opens somewhat sooner than it otherwise would. That is conduspring 4| is much lighter than spring 48. The

combined length of the plunger 4? and spring 48 is such that valve 34 is closed before follower 49 has 'been moved outward to its maximum extent, spring 48 taking up the additional travel of the follower, thereby assuring complete closing of valve 34 and guarding against possible leakageof the fuel-air mixture from compartment 24,

The recesses 3la are of materially greater diameter than the passages 31, as shown, and the valve seat discs 36 are of slightly less diameter than the respective recesses 3m. Each of the valve seat discs 36 is mounted on pad 36 at the inner end of recess 3la by means of headed screws 66 passing through disc 36, and an underlying gasket 44 with clearance 56, as is shown in Figures 5 and 6. Discs 36 may be mounted in any other suitable manner within the broader aspects of my invention. In mounting disc 36, crank shaft 2! is turned into such position that valve 34 is fully closed and disc 36 is then positioned so that valve 34 seats accurately therein and is then secured in position by the screws 55. After both of the discs 36 have been properly positioned and secured, the member 31 is bolted in position, as previously described.

In the single cylinder engine of Figure 7, outer section of crank case 59 is provided with an inlet passage 60 having therein a valve stem guide element 6|,and witha pad 62 having a flat outer face on which is mounted a valve seat plate 63, with an intervening gasket 64. Plate 63 has therein a, valve port 35a opening into passage 60 and controlled by valve 34, as before. An intake manifold member 65 is bolted to pad 62 at the outer face of plate 63, with'an intervening gasket 66. Member 65 has a pocket 61 receiving com- ;requires no further description. The cap-screws 31a pass through valve seat plate 63 with clearance, and this plate may be adjusted to assure accurate seating of valve 34 before tightening up cap screws 31a. Accordingly, it is not necessary to provide separate means for adjusting plate 63 and securing it in adjustment preliminary to se .curlng member 65 in position, though separate means may be provided if desired. While the structure of Figure '7 has been described as used for a single cylinder engine it may, if desired, be used for multi-cylinder engines. I prefer, however, to use, for multi-cylinder engines, the structure of Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, since inclining the valves oppositely permits of their being disposed in proximity to the ends of the web element of the crank case, which saves space and provides a compact arrangement of parts.

As above indicated, and as will be understood by those skilled in the art, changes in details may be resorted to without departing from the field and scope of my invention, and I intend to include all such variations, as fall within the scope of the appended claims, in this application in aaaaiba which the preferred forms only of my invention have been disclosed.

I claim:

1. In a two cycle internal combustion engine, crank case defining a fuel mixture receiving compartment, a cylinder opening at one end into said compartment, a crank shaft rotatably mounted in said compartment, a piston operating in said cylinder having operating connection to said shaft, said engine having a transfer passage leading from said compartmentand a fuel mixture intake port opening into said compartment, an inwardly opening and outwardly closing valve controlling said port urged in closing direction by pressure in said compartment, and means for closing said valve and releasing itfor free inward opening movement in predetermined timed relation to rotation of said shaft.

2. In a two cycle internal combustion engine, a crank case defining a fuel mixture receiving compartment, a cylinder opening at one end into said compartment, a crankshaft rotatably mounted in said compartment, a piston operating in said cylinder having operating connection to said shaft, said engine having a transfer passage leading from said compartment and a fuel mixture intake port opening into said compartment, an inwardly opening and outwardly closing valve controlling said port urged in closing direction by pressure in said compartment, and means in said compartment comprising cam means on said shaft for closing said valve and releasing it for free inward opening movement in predetermined timed relation to rotation of said shaft.

-3. In-a two cycle internal combustion engine,

a crank case defining a fuel mixture receiving compartment, 9. cylinder opening at one end into said compartment, a crank shaft rotatably mounted in said compartment, a piston operating in saidcylinder having operating connection to said shaft, said engine having a transfer passage leading from said compartment and a fuel mixture intake passage opening at its inner end directly into said compartment and provided with an intake port at its outer end, an inwardly opening and outwardly closing valve controlling said port urged in closing direction by pressure in said compartment said valve having a stem extending inward of said passage, and means in said compartment comprising a cam member on said shaft cooperating with said valve stem for closing said valve and releasing it for free inward opening movement in predetermined timed relation to rotation of said shaft.

4. In a two cycle internal combustion engine, a crank case having a central bearing element and defining two separate fuel mixture receiving compartments, said crankcase having at one side a wall with a flat outer surface, a pair of cylinders at the opposite side of said crank case respectively openingpt one end into said comfor free inward opening movement in predeterminedtimed relation to rotation of said shaft.

5. In a two cycle internal combustion engine, a crank case defining a fuel mixture receiving compartment, a cylinder opening at one end into said compartment, a crank shaft rotatably mounted in said compartment, 8. piston operating in said cylinder having operating connection to said shaft, said engine having a transfer passage leading from said compartment and a fuel mixture intake 'port opening into said compartment, an inwardly opening and outwardly closing valve controlling said port urged in closing direction by pressure in said compartment and yieldingly urged in opening direction, and means for closing said valve and releasing it for inward opening movement in predetermined timed relation to rotation of said shaft, opening of said valve being unopposed except as controlled by said means.

6. In a two cycle internal combustion engine, a crank case defining a fuel mixture receiving compartment, a cylinder opening at one end into ,said compartment, a crank shaft rotatably mounted in said compartment, a piston operating insaid cylinder having operating connection tosaid shaft, said engine having a transfer passage leading from said compartment and a fuel mixture intake passage opening at its inner end directly into said compartment and provided with an intake port at its outer, end, an inwardly opening and outwardly closing valve controlling said port urged in closing direction by pressure in said compartment, said valve having a stem extending inward of said passage, and means in said compartment contacting the inner end of said valve stem comprising a cam member on said shaft cooperating with said valve stem for closing said valve endreleasing it for free inward opening movement in predetermined timed relation to rotation of said shaft, said valve stem being yieldable lengthwise under pressure applied thereto by said cam member after closing of said valve.

' '7. In a two cycle internal combustion engine, a crank case defining a fuel mixture receiving compartment, a cylinder opening at one end into said compartment, a crank shaft rotatably mounted in said compartment, a piston operating in said cylinder having operating connection to said shaft, said engine having a transfer passage leading from said compartment and a fuel mixture intake passage opening at its inner and directly into said compartment and provided with an intake port at its outer end, an inwardly opening and outwardly closing valve controlling said port urged in closing direction by pressure in said compartment and yieldingly urged in opening direction, said valve having a stem expartmen'ts, a crank shaft rotatably mounted in saidcrank case, a piston operating in the respective cylinders having operating connection to said shaft, said engine having intake ports respectively opening into said compartments and transfer passages respectively leading from said compartments, inwardly opening and outwardly closing valves controlling said ports disposed with their axes at opposite ends of said bearing ele-' ment substantially radial to said shaft, said valves 7 being urged in closing direction by pressure in 5 ":said compartments, and means comprising cams on said shaft adjacent the ends of said bearing element for closing said valves and releasing them tending inwardly of said passage comprising two telescoping members and spring means urging them apart, means of less strength than said spring means yieldingly urging said valve in opening direction, and means contacting the inner end of said valve stem comprising a cam member on said shaft cooperating with said valve stem for closing said valve and releasing it for inward opening movement in predetermined timed relation to rotation of said shaft, opening of said valve being unopposed except as controlled by said last means.

8. In a two cycle internal combustion engine, a crank case defining a fuel mixture receiving compartment, a cylinder opening at one end into 76 said compartment, a crank shaft rotatably mounted in said compartment, a piston operating in said cylinder having operating connection to said shaft, said compartment having a transfer passage leading from said compartment and a fuel mixture intake passage opening at its inner end directly into said compartment, a valve seat member mounted on said crank case having an intake port overlying the outer end of said intake passage and a valve seat surrounding said port, an inwardly opening and outwardly closing valve cooperating with said seat for controlling said port, and means for closing said valve and releasing it for'free inward movement in predetermined timed relation to rotation of said shaft.

9. In an internal combustion engine utilizing crank case compression for charging the combustion space, a crank case having a fuel mixture intake passage opening at its inner end into said crank case provided at its outer end with an intake port, an inwardly opening and outwardly closing intake valve controlling said port, a crank shaft in said case, said valve having a stem extending inward therefrom through said passage, and means contacting the inner end of said valve stem comprising a cam on said shaft for closing said valve and permitting opening thereof in predetermined timed relation to rotation of said shaft, opening of said valve being unopposed except as controlled by said means and said valve being urged inclosing direction by pressure in i said crank case.

10. In an internal combustion engine utilizing crank case compression for charging the combustion space, a crank case having a fuel mixture intake passage opening at its inner end into said crank case provided at its outer end with an intake port, an inwardly opening and outwardly closing intake valve controlling said port yieldingly urged in opening direction, a crank shaft in said case, said valve having a stem extending inward therefrom through said passage, and means contacting the inner end of said valve stem comprising a cam on said shaft for closing said valve and permitting opening thereof in pre-- determined timed relation to rotation of said shaft, opening of said valve being unopposed except as controlled by said means and said valve being urged in closing direction by pressure in said crank ease.

GILBERT E. BUSKE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,445,319 Jelbart Feb. 13, 1923 2,289,201 Martin July 7, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 639,806 France 1928 

